The Surprising God

This post exegetes Hebrews chapter 13 providing context for the Epistle reading on 8/31/25. the 12th Sunday after Pentecost. Insights are drawn from Warren Wiersbe (The Bible Expository Commentary) and F.F. Bruce (The Epistle to the Hebrews). "The Miraculous Draft of Fishes" by Raphael (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction In Hebrews chapter 11, we are given examples of faithful people. In chapter 12, we are given exhortations to persevere in the faith.  Now in chapter 13, we are given ‘real-world’ examples of living by faith in Jesus. Here we find the ethics or life-style of a Jesus-follower. Of course, Christians are not ‘yellow pencils’, nor are they perfect; but in their lives you will find certain defining characteristics. This chapter gives four: they love others, are responsive to church leadership, are given to worship, and are yielded to Jesus. Because temptation, lethargy and other factors tend to strip believers of these characteristics, this concludi...

This post exegetes Hebrews chapter 12 providing context for the Epistle reading on 8/24/25. the 11th Sunday after Pentecost. Insights are drawn from Warren Wiersbe (The Bible Expository Commentary) and F.F. Bruce (The Epistle to the Hebrews). Olympics marathon runner (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction: run with perseverance  Hebrews 12:1 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews chapter 12 is about persevering in the faith.  The author wants this book's readers to “run with perseverance the race marked out” for them (Heb 12:1b).  For most Christians this “race” is a marathon with many obstacles. Because it’s long and hard we can be tempted to “grow weary and lose heart” (Heb 12:3).  Because the original Jewish Christian readers of Hebrews were being persecuted, they were tem...

This post exegetes Hebrews chapter 11 providing context for the Epistle readings on 8/10 and 8/17/25. the 9th and 10th Sundays after Pentecost. Insights are drawn from Warren Wiersbe (The Bible Expository Commentary) and F.F. Bruce (The Epistle to the Hebrews). Introduction Prior to chapter 11 in Hebrews, we learn that Jesus is the Superior Person (chapters 1-6), with the Superior Priesthood (chapters 7-10).  These truths form the basis for the Christian faith, namely allegiance to and trust in Jesus only. This faith is Superior Faith because it is greater than that offered by the old covenant. Because they were being persecuted for their trust in Jesus, the original Jewish Christian readers of this book were tempted to return to the inferior faith of the old covenant. It’s easier for all of us to trust in the known and visible than to trust in the invisible realities of God.  Hebrews chapter 10 ends with this exhortation:  My righteous one will live by faith. And ...

This post exegetes Colossians 3:1-11 , providing context for the Epistle reading on 8/3/25. the 8th Sunday after Pentecost. Insights are drawn from Warren Wiersbe ("Bible Expository Commentary") and Peter T. O’Brien ("New Bible Commentary"). "Christ with His Disciples" by Mironov (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction  The theology of Paul’s Epistles centers fully on Jesus and the creation and outworking of the union that all humanity has with him. Our personal realization of and active participation in that union proceeds in three interrelated steps:   1. Belong . This is the declaration of what is true already of all humanity, namely, that in and through Christ (our Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer), God includes all humanity in his life and love. He has made us all his dearly loved children. And he has done this for us and to us, apart from any work or merit of our own. It’s thus his gift of pure grace. And now the Spirit brings us a choice: ...